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Water and ventilation are crucial elements for survival of the three trapped miners at Lily Gold Mine, in Barberton, Mpumalanga.

That’s according to health specialists.

It's been seven days since the trio has been trapped after a mine collapse. Experts believe they are close to finding them.

The rescue team has found a tyre that was closer to the container before it sunk.

Meanwhile, relatives have held a prayer meeting, however frustration is mounting.

Husband of one of the trapped miner’s, Christopher Mazibuko says he is not happy: “I'm not happy at all with the mine they are not tell us everything."

The rescue team retrieved a tyre believed to have been close to the container when it fell.

Director for operations at the mine, Mike Begg says the discovery of the tyre is a positive sign of progress.

“The tyre was lying near the container on the surface, it was actually leaning against the container, it has come through the pile, through a small zone, in the draw zone and we have been able to recover it. Actually what it tells us is that all our assumptions up to today, have been right. We were zooming and zooming closer to the zone where we think the container is.”

Physician, Dr Mecha Eche says: "A body needs oxygen to survive. At this stage water and ventilation is important to keep the miners alive. The brain cannot function without oxygen and also it will depend on their state of health.”